181 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"...Ran Fanyin?" Lin Yuxue called her gently. Ran Fanyin glanced at Lin Yuxue and pointed to the pot in front of her, "What do I do with this?" Her tone was so even that it didn’t even sound like a question. Lin Yuxue couldn’t help but laugh softly, "The way you asked, I almost thought you were some expert in the kitchen. It’s a bit surprising that someone of your esteemed status would be cooking." "Not knowing how to cook is normal. That is why I am asking you for guidance," Ran Fanyin replied earnestly, holding an egg. Because she adored Ning Songwu, she spent seven years. She even used her own blood to forge a sword for her. Because she loved Ning Songwu, she often felt an urge to cry whenever she was near her. Because she cherished Ning Songwu, she placed her at the top of her heart. Because she loved Ning Songwu, she wished she could bear all her ailments. Because she loved Ning Songwu, she would willingly kiss her. She wanted Ning Songwu to stay by her side forever. She couldn’t tolerate Ning Songwu belonging to anyone else, not in the slightest. Cang Min's words flashed across her mind: "It's not morality, not the master-disciple relationship, nor the defiance of natural order that restricts you. It’s your own heart." It’s my own heart. In her memory, that crimson mark between her brows had not faded over ten years; it burned like a flame in her eyes. Ran Fanyin swept her sleeve, flew up, and intercepted Jing Hu in the snow, standing firmly before her. Her eyes were resolute as she looked at Ning Songwu's pale face and said sternly, "Give her to me." Jing Hu was surprised, "But..." Ran Fanyin quickly interrupted, "I regret it." Jing Hu's hands trembled. Ran Fanyin’s sharp gaze cut through Jing Hu, "Give her back to me." Jing Hu refused, "You don’t even like her, so why..." "I love her." Ran Fanyin extended her hand, her tone unwavering, as if voicing an eternal vow, "I love her. Give her to me." Amidst the swirling snow, a woman in white stood before a tall, handsome man, declaring her love to the sleeping, peerless beauty in his arms. I love you. Chapter 71: The Snowman Awakens Earlier, a few disciples of the Burning Heaven sect had passed by, chatting among themselves and slowly walked away. Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu held their breaths and waited until the footsteps had faded down the stairs before resuming their normal breathing, advancing along the beam towards the end of the corridor. At the end of the corridor was indeed a room door, guarded by two men with sabers. Ran Fanyin pulled Ning Songwu to squat on the beam above the door, directly above the two guards' heads. From their position, they could just make out the interior through some slats. The room was spacious, with a string of bead curtains hanging in front of the upper seat, obscuring the figure behind them, but it was clear that a tall man wearing a black bamboo hat was seated there. In front of the bead curtain stood two people: a burly man with a saber and a woman in traditional Miao clothing. Lin Yuxue, wearing a white jade mask, sat across from them, with Wuji, Wugong, and Wuming standing behind her. From behind the bead curtain came the sound of a teacup lid scraping against its rim, followed by the steady voice of a middle-aged man, "How should we address this gentleman?" Lin Yuxue smiled, "Just an itinerant, without a name or title." "Miaoshan," the middle-aged man suddenly called out, "pour our guest some tea." "Yes, Master." The woman in Miao clothing sashayed forward, her movements full of allure, her Danfeng eyes brimming with seductive charm, swaying her hips as she carried the teapot to pour tea for Lin Yuxue. Ran Fanyin saw the steaming tea being poured from the teapot and narrowed her eyes. She pulled Ning Songwu's hand and wrote in her palm, "The tea is tainted." Ning Songwu frowned, staring intently inside. Lin Yuxue took the teacup, sipped, but discreetly spit it back into the cup, then placed the cup down, saying, "I heard that this senior enjoys hearing interesting stories from the martial world. That’s why I came here. I don’t know what kind of stories interest you?" "Just some strange tales from the martial world," the middle-aged man chuckled, "Do you know of the Bingshan Sect?" "Yes, a mysterious sect in the martial world, known for their underhanded methods, reportedly living off grave robbing," Lin Yuxue answered formally, though somewhat puzzled. "Then have you heard that years ago, people from the Bingshan Sect robbed a tomb on Lingqiu Mountain?" The middle-aged man paused after taking a sip of tea. "It was the tomb of a concubine under Emperor Luo Changyou, called the Tomb of Concubine Si." "Apologies, I have never heard of such a thing," Lin Yuxue said, frowning even more as she became increasingly puzzled by the man's line of questioning. "Then you must know about the Burning Heaven Sect?" the middle-aged man's voice turned cold, "And its leader, Wen Jinglei?" Lin Yuxue's fingers clenched, signaling Wuji with her eyes. "And do you know that Wen Jinglei has a daughter named Wen Mianluo?" The middle-aged man’s voice grew more severe with each word, his presence commanding obedience. Wen Mianluo. Wen Mianluo...! Ning Songwu’s body trembled violently at the mention of the name. Something flashed through her mind but she couldn’t grasp it. She closed her eyes, and a voice echoed in her head: "After the thunder, there must be rest; hence her name, Wen Mianluo…" "A’Luo, do you like this name?" "When Mianluo grows up, she will be the most beautiful person in the world…" "A’Luo, do you remember where your home is? Who did you come out with?" "A’Luo..." It had been some time since their return to Cangjun Mountain. Ning Songwu had not sustained any serious injuries, only lingering headaches from dispelling too many illusions abruptly. It wasn’t important; proper care could resolve it. Before going into seclusion, Ran Fanyin had instructed Lin Yuxue to take care of Ning Songwu.